God’s
grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My focus is Mark 9:39, where we read, “No
one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil
of me.”
Let
us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”[1] Now that our feet are
within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit
enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we
pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
What’s
in? What is in? Three words packed with power. What – pronoun requesting
information. Is – 3rd person singular verb of to be. In – preposition indicating inclusion within space. What is
in? Because I cannot end a sentence with a preposition, I ask: What’s in a
name? What’s in our Gospel? What’s in it for me?
Juliet
asked, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would
smell as sweet.” It did not matter what Romeo's name was. If you call a rose
something else, it still smells the same.[2]
Names
identify individuals. We identify people by first names – Oprah or Madonna, by nicknames
– Ike or Whoopi, or by initials – MJ or LBJ.
Because
people identify us by our names, what is in your name? Why are you named
Raymond or Paul, Jo Ann or Cynthia, Martin or Katherine, Robert or Dolores? Did
you ever ask those who named you why they chose that particular name?
Some
people are named after parents, grandparents, significant family members or
friends. Others are named after people who might influence their lives. Hans
and Margarette Luther named their son Martin because he was born on November 10th
and the Feast of St. Martin falls on November 11th. Still others are
named Liam or Noah, Emma or Olivia because it is popular. I asked my mother why
she chose Paul David for me, and her reply was, “I liked it.” Well, enough
about me.
Mary
and Joseph named their son Jesus, the same name as Joshua in the Old Testament.
His name means He saves His people from
their sins. The disciples knew Jesus to be the Christ. The Greek word Christ, from the Egyptian word kheru, meaning word or voice, is
translated from the Hebrew Māšîaḥ, meaning
anointed one. The name Jesus Christ identifies the Second Person of the Trinity.
The
name also possesses power. In Jesus’ culture, a name identified the person, and
anyone who represented that person. The representative also possessed his
power. For example, the ambassador bore the king’s name, and his word possessed
the king’s power. That is why, as we heard last week, that whoever received a
child in Jesus’ name received Jesus himself.[3]
Our
Gospel reveals the power of Jesus’ name in the actions of an unknown exorcist
casting out demons while invoking the name of Jesus. Now, if the disciples
understood who Jesus was, they would have known that a person could not perform
a mighty deed in his name and speak ill of him. If they knew Jesus, they would
have supported this unknown exorcist.
After
rebuking John, Jesus spoke of hospitality – a cup of water – offered to his
disciples because you belong to Christ.
Notice that Jesus did not say because you are my disciples, but because you belong to Christ. The name
Christ identified our Lord and his followers.
In Acts,
Luke wrote that in Antioch the disciples were called Christians.[4] They bore the name
Christian. In Galatians, Paul wrote, if you are Christ’s, then you are … heirs
according to promise.[5] People who bear the name
of Christ are heirs of Christ according to promise.
We
move from what’s in a name to what’s in our Gospel. … Today’s gospel is a
smorgasbord. It has everything: exorcisms and amputations, reward and
punishment, heaven and hell, fire and salt. Since we already tasted the name,
let’s limit our plates to one item that recurs throughout Mark: discipleship.
Our
Gospel opens with an unknown exorcist operating successfully, unlike the
disciples who, as we heard two weeks ago, could not cast out spirits possessing
a boy,[6] even though Jesus gave
this power to his closest disciples, the Twelve.[7]
As
their spokesman, John objected to this unknown exorcist successfully exercising
compassionate ministry through the power of Jesus’ name. He wanted Jesus to
restrict the exorcist’s actions because he was not part of their inner circle.
John did not so much desire personal allegiance and obedience to Jesus, but
membership in the ‘authorized’ circle of followers.[8]
The
passage resembles Joshua’s protest to Moses because Eldad and Medad prophesied
but were not at the tent when God placed his Spirit on 70 elders. Moses was
open-minded as he repudiated the jealousy of loyal disciples.[9] Likewise, in our gospel,
Jesus, still seated from teaching about greatness in God’s kingdom, dealt with
John’s protest, and then addressed an array of other issues.
Jesus
was aware that the man did not know him. He knew the man was not his enemy,
like the Pharisees who accused him of exorcising demons through the prince of
demons.[10] Here, Jesus declared the
one who is not against us is for us.[11] Jesus knew his name had
power, and those who used it to benefit others could not turn against him.
Jesus encouraged the Twelve not to restrict others from exercising
compassionate ministry in his name, but to welcome and thank them for spreading
the Gospel.[12]
The
passage reveals that the Twelve saw themselves as the only ones authorized to
exercise ministry in Jesus’ name. They could not tolerate anyone who challenged
their superiority.[13] To maintain their
monopoly, they erected boundaries. Jesus saw such cliquishness as a worldly
value that had no place in the kingdom of God.[14] In short, the Twelve were
preoccupied with being the greatest, and earned Jesus’ rebuke.[15]
Following
a hell-fire and damnation sermon, aimed at changing attitudes and behaviors,
Jesus concluded with a few words on salt – advice for how disciples remain in
the world but not of it.
Matthew
placed a salt saying of Jesus right after the Beatitudes: You are the salt of the earth,[16] but Mark’s is not the
same. To understand Mark’s saying, we examine salt in the Old Testament.
In
Leviticus, we read, You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let
the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering;
with all your offerings you shall offer salt.[17] Salt symbolized purity
and holiness, and accompanied burnt offerings because of Israel’s covenant
relationship with Yahweh.
We
find purification in 2nd Kings where we read, The men of the city said to
Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant … but the water is bad,
and the land is unfruitful.” [Elisha] said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt
in it.” They brought it to him. He went to the spring of water and threw salt
in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on
neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” The water has been healed to
this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.[18]
Israel
used salt to preserve, clean or flavor, but in Mark, salt symbolized the
influence of the disciple on society.[19] Jesus’ disciples were
dedicated totally to God’s service, but were forewarned that dedication would
be costly in terms of personal suffering.”[20] Roman Christians saw
themselves as sacrifices. Paul wrote present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God.[21] Saltiness referred to one’s radical commitment to Christian discipleship.
Discipleship
in the church could crumble when attacked; therefore, the church had to retain
its integrity and distinctiveness as a community of peace.[22] True, the Twelve failed
as followers of Christ – by trying to be the greatest, by preventing others to
drive out demons in Jesus’ name, by scandalizing others or being scandalized –
but Christ restored their life and mission. Good salt, which characterized the
church, resulted in peaceful relationships.[23] Jesus restored the flavor
of the church by salting its members that they might have flavor in themselves.[24] His words – Have salt in yourselves. Be
at peace with one another – reminded them that to
preserve these peaceful relationships, they had to serve one another. By
serving one another, they would be at peace with one another. They lived this
way because the Risen Lord and Holy Spirit dwelt with them.
Serve
one another. Be at peace with one another. Sounds good, pastor, but what’s in
it for me?
Who
doesn’t ask, “What’s in it for me?” Dedicated disciples don’t ask that
question. James and John, who requested reserved seats at Jesus’ left and
right, never again asked, “What’s in it for me?” Neither did Peter or Paul.
Many people today never ask, “What’s in it for me?” Among those are men and
women who bear the motto, “To protect and serve.” Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz and
other officers who sacrificed their lives never asked, “What’s in it for me?”
As
Gospel people, we need God’s Law; and because we do not always live at peace
with one another, we need law enforcement officers to serve us and protect us
from one another.
Men
and women who never ask, “What’s in it for me?” offer their lives because we do
not live at peace. Annually since 1911, between 100 – 300 law enforcement
officers die in the line of duty nationwide.[25] This year, 92 died; 4 in
Illinois. Fourteen years after 9/11, first-responders die of complications and
injuries suffered in the terrorist attacks.[26]
These
men and women protect us from criminals who steal our lives, and evildoers who
steal our children, elderly, property, savings, identity and whatever else imaginable.
Police officers, corrections officers, detectives, investigators, National
Guards, security guards, firefighters, forest rangers, postal inspectors and
prosecutors serve us and protect us from Satan, sin and self.
Law
enforcement officers serve and protect us. Who serves and protects them? God
and His army of angels.
As
we observe St. Michael and All Angels, the Church provides a reading describing
the battle between Satan and his evil angels and Michael and God’s angels. Revelation
tells us how God used Michael and the angels to deliver His people from Satan’s
accusations.
Michael
battled with weapons God gave us to defeat Satan: Word and Sacrament. In Jude
9, Michael said, The Lord rebuke you. In today’s reading, he said, They
conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.[27]
We
defeat Satan by the Word of God, when we preach it in truth and purity. God’s
Word silences Satan and casts him from heaven so he cannot accuse us before God’s
throne. In Luke, after hearing a report on the preaching of his disciples,
Jesus declared, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.[28] So, even though we, and
those who protect and serve us, continue to battle Satan and sin at the expense
of our lives, the gates of hell will not prevail against the Lord and His
Church.
We
win the battle against Satan and his evil angels not by power, might, strength
or numbers, but as A Mighty Fortress confesses,
“One little word …” That one little
Word is Jesus and the forgiveness He offers us.
Witness
the power of forgiveness in Jesus’ name by the family members of the murdered victims
at Charleston’s Emmanuel AME Church. Fighting against every natural human
inclination, these Christians demonstrated determined faith when they forgave
the killer. Said the sister of one victim, “I
acknowledge that I am very angry, [but my sister] taught me that we are the
family that love built. We have no room for hating.”[29]
We
have no room for hating. … What’s in it for us when we have no room for hating?
What’s in it for us when we forgive in the name of Jesus? What’s in it for us
when we forgive evildoers who kill people who spread the Gospel or enforce the
Law? What’s in it for us when we – disciples of the Risen Lord sprinkled with
salt – witness the Gospel through lovingkindness and forgiveness?
Sprinkled
with salt, we witness as we pray daily not only the Lord’s words, Forgive
us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, but also Luther’s
words, “Let Your holy angel be with me,
that the evil foe may have no power over me.”[30]
Brothers
and sisters, may the evil foe never have power over you. May God send his
angels to protect you that you may serve Him. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray.
Amen. … May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your heart
and mind in Christ Jesus.[31] Amen.
Saturday
– Stand for Apostles Creed – back cover
8 –
Stand for Te Deum – page 223
9:30
& 11 – Stand for Nicene Creed – back cover
[1]
Psalm 122
[2] http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-does-juliet-mean-when-she-says-whats-name-135689
[3]
Mark 9:37
[4]
Acts 11:26
[5]
Galatians 3:29
[6]
Mark 9:14-29
[7]
Mark 3:15
[8]
France, 377
[9]
Numbers 11:26-29
[10]
Matthew 12:22-32
[11]
Mark 9:40
[12]
France, 379
[13]
LaVerdiere, 57
[14]
France, 376
[15]
France, 376
[16]
Matthew 5:13
[17]
Leviticus 2:13
[18] 2
Kings 2:19-22
[19]
Ezekiel 16:4; France, 384
[20]
France, 384
[21]
Romans 12:1
[22]
France, 385
[23]
France, 385
[24]
LaVerdiere, 64
[25] https://www.odmp.org/
[26] http://www.nleomf.org/
[27]
Revelation 12:11
[28]
Luke 10:18
[29]
Michael Gerson, “The power of forgiveness in Charleston,” The Washington Post,
June 22, 2015.
[30] Luther’s
Small Catechism, p. 33. See also Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver
III, St. Michael and All Angels. http://blogs.lcms.org/2011/st-michael-and-all-angels-9-2011
[31]
Philippians 4:7
